Preston Baker enjoys triple success at Estate Agency of the Year awards

A Yorkshire based estate agent is celebrating after picking up three separate accolades at this year’s Estate Agency of the Year awards.

Preston Baker Estate and Letting Agents travelled down to London at the weekend to attend the biggest, annual event in the estate agents calendar and was delighted to come away with three awards.

The firm – which covers large areas of North, South and West Yorkshire – was recognised for its outstanding financial and customer services, winning gold and silver respectively, with Moortown branch manager, Claire Lowcock, rounding off a great evening as she was named 6th best property valuer in the UK.

Speaking about the company’s success, managing director, Ian Preston said: “It really was an amazing evening and I was excited and delighted for the team to be recognised for its hard work.

“Gaining silver in the customer services category was fantastic, as it’s the most competitive group by a long way and it also felt great to know we were the only independent agency who won anything on the night.

“We really do care for our customers and go the extra mile, using our financial services to simplify the moving process via a dedicated individual in each of our branches.

“Our financial services team is fully integrated into the rest of the business and we, the directors, have worked with the mortgage advisors to develop a fully integrated proposition.

“I’m proud to be able to say all the staff at Preston Baker understand the steps that need to be taken in order to meet service expectations and we are always working towards continued improvement.

“Winning these awards highlights we are not only doing this, but we are doing it well.”

Claire Lowcock – who has been working in estate agency for the last six years – couldn’t believe it when her name was called out at the ceremony, held in the opulent Nine Kings Suite at The Lancaster London Hotel.

She said: “I was in shock and still can’t believe I have been named as the sixth best valuer in the whole country.

“I feel completely honoured and it’s just amazing to be part of a fantastic team, everyone in the company deserves these awards for all the hard work and dedication they put in every day.”

With seven offices looking after York, Selby, Doncaster, Leeds and Sheffield, Preston Baker – which was founded in 2008 – is no newcomer when it comes to receiving acknowledgments, having already won Best Real Estate Agency Marketing Yorkshire & the Humber, in October, at the UK property awards.

Last year the company won Northern estate agency of the year and previously, in 2013, was voted the best UK small estate agency.

Co-founder and Ian’s cousin, James Baker, believes the company’s success is down to its reputation for delivering proactive, first-class service using innovative marketing techniques and cutting edge technology.

The creation of Property Launch – a strategy which the innovative company developed two years ago to help sellers reduce the number of days their house is on the market and increase the price they achieve – is just one such example of how Preston Baker aim to stand out from the crowd.

James said: “We pride ourselves on offering something different than other agencies, while always keeping the customer at the forefront of everything we do.

“Our staff have exceptional knowledge of the industry and each individual has a positive attitude, high energy and great community spirit, all attributes which resonate throughout the company.”

As well as having an exceptional presence and reputation in the industry, Preston Baker prides itself on its strong community presence, supporting local events – including this year’s Carr School Christmas Fair in York, Cawood Beer Festival – and charities, such as The Trussell Trust, by collecting items for foodbanks over the Christmas period.

For the past three years, the family-run firm has also sponsored the Active York sports awards – which highlight the talent, commitment and effort of those who make sport happen – as well as the Roundhay Primary Schools Fun Run Fund.

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